# Hawaii SB 1433: RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION.

Hawaii SB 1433, RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-05-29 (Act 106, 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1206).); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1433-2025
- As of: 2026-10-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 1433
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-21
- Last action: 2025-05-29, Act 106, 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1206).
- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Department of Health, Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program, Needs-Based Distribution, Non-Injection Drug User Participation, Liability, HLT, JHA
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 11 (196 yes, 38 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

Amends the distribution system of sterile needles and syringes under the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program from a one-to-one exchange system to a needs-based distribution system. Authorizes non-injection drug user participation in the Program. Modifies liability for Program participants, staff, and law enforcement officers. (CD1)

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Legal protection for syringe program users: benefit, medium. Program staff acting in official duties are protected from listed drug offenses for possessing needles, syringes, and Department-approved items. Staff may deliver needles, syringes, and approved items only to program staff or participants through the program. Participants are protected when possess…
- More sterile needles and support: benefit, medium. People in Hawaii’s syringe exchange program get sterile needles and syringes based on need, without returning one used item for each new one. The amount must be enough to reduce sharing or reuse. The program also provides infection-risk education, counseling, and treatment referrals. Screened peopl…
- Good-faith legal protection for officers: benefit, low. A law enforcement officer acting in good faith is protected from civil liability for merely arresting or charging someone later found exempt from an offense under this section.
- Health department tracks program results: cost, low. The health department must keep exchange sites and equipment secure, track supplies, and record which staff are authorized to handle them. It must collect data on risk behaviors, treatment, services, and disease transmission. Each year by January 1, it reports participant numbers and demographics,…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-04-30 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 23 | 2 |   |
| 2025-04-30 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 37 | 13 |   |
| 2025-04-23 | House | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.... | pass | 2 | 1 |   |
| 2025-04-23 | Senate | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2025-04-04 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 41 | 9 |   |
| 2025-03-25 | House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 8 | 2 |   |
| 2025-03-18 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA... | pass | 43 | 6 |   |
| 2025-03-14 | House | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 7 | 2 |   |
| 2025-03-04 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 23 | 2 |   |
| 2025-02-20 | Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 3 | 1 |   |
| 2025-02-03 | Senate | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |

## Actions (45)

- 2025-05-29: Act 106, 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1206). (Senate)
- 2025-05-29: Act 106, on 05/29/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1206). (House)
- 2025-05-02: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821). (Senate)
- 2025-05-02: Enrolled to Governor. (Senate)
- 2025-05-01: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888). (House)
- 2025-04-30: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). (Senate)
- 2025-04-30: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Chun, Garcia, Kila, Kong, Lamosao, Lee, M., Matsumoto, Muraoka, Olds, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (13) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). (House)
- 2025-04-24: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 69). (Senate)
- 2025-04-24: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25. (Senate)
- 2025-04-24: Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 69) as amended in (CD 1). (House)
- 2025-04-24: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25. (House)
- 2025-04-23: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Poepoe; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 0 Excused: none. (House)
- 2025-04-23: The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Rhoads, Hashimoto, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-04-22: Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-25 3:30PM; Conference Room 329. (Senate)
- 2025-04-15: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 731). (Senate)
- 2025-04-15: Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Rhoads Co-Chair; Hashimoto, Fevella. (Senate)
- 2025-04-15: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 789). (House)
- 2025-04-14: House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Poepoe Co-Chairs; Garcia. (House)
- 2025-04-08: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 611). (Senate)
- 2025-04-08: Senate disagrees with House amendments. (Senate)
- 2025-04-08: Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 774). (House)
- 2025-04-04: Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Hussey, Olds, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Kila, Kong, Lamosao, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (9) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. (House)
- 2025-04-02: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1782) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. (House)
- 2025-04-02: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 04-04-25. (House)
- 2025-03-25: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa. (House)
- 2025-03-21: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-25-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-03-18: Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1310) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. (House)
- 2025-03-18: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (6) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2). (House)
- 2025-03-14: The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Chun, Marten, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Olds; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; and 0 Excused: none. (House)
- 2025-03-11: Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 03-14-25 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-03-06: Pass First Reading (House)
- 2025-03-06: Referred to HLT, JHA, referral sheet 19 (House)
- 2025-03-04: Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. (Senate)
- 2025-03-04: Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 332) in amended form (SD 2). (House)
- 2025-02-28: Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 906) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). (Senate)
- 2025-02-28: 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25. (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard. (Senate)
- 2025-02-18: The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 10:01AM; CR 016 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-02-13: Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 420) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-02-13: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-02-03: The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-01-31: The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-27: Referred to HHS, JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-23: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_CD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/GM1206_.PDF)
- SB1433_CD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_CD1_.HTM)
- SB1433_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_HD1_.HTM)
- SB1433_HD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_HD2_.HTM)
- SB1433_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_SD1_.HTM)
- SB1433_SD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_SD2_.HTM)

## Related bills

- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)
- SB 1044: RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_CD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/GM1206_.PDF)
- [SB1433_CD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_CD1_.HTM)
- [SB1433_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_HD1_.HTM)
- [SB1433_HD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_HD2_.HTM)
- [SB1433_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_SD1_.HTM)
- [SB1433_SD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB1433_SD2_.HTM)

## Related
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [SB 1044: RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1044-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1433-2025 (as of 2026-10-27).